Dream Big with No Limits “A no – regrets life.”

By: Cindy Pentecost

 “God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” Ephesians 3:20 MSG

Imagine with me the tragedy of having the ability to go anywhere you choose, but not having the faintest idea where you’d like to go?  This happens to many people.  They never experience the joy or benefits of using their full potential because they do not have a vision for their lives.  They’re not sure what they’d like to see happen.  Some may not even know they have a choice. Some may have been raised to believe it is a sin to prosper.    Life is largely a matter of expectations and miracles have a tendency of happening to those who believe in and expect them.

Although there are no simple formulas that will guarantee that your dreams will meet success, there are biblical principles to teach and inspire us to dream bigger dreams, expecting miracles.  One of the special blessings Mark and I enjoy is hearing your personal stories of powerful changes and choices you are making that are and can continue to transform your life.   

I personally believe that one vital and non negotiable is involving God in your everyday decisions.  The Bible says, “Be delighted with the Lord.  Then He will give you all your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4 TLB  In 3 John 2 MSG it reads, “I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health-that everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul.”  Now if John found it worthy of the Lord to pray this for believers of his day, I know it is still relevant today to ask and believe God for the same for His work is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever… I also love what Proverbs 13:21 says.  “But prosperity is the reward of the righteous.”   

So I find a common thread amongst successful people.  They always strive for excellence and give more than is required. “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 NASB  When Jesus walked the earth He lived this way.    Have you ever noticed it is never crowded along the extra mile? It can be lonely traveling and yet you will always achieve excellence if you risk more than what others think is safe, care more than others care and dream bigger than what is practical.   It will require discipline and sacrifice.  Some people dream of success; others wake up and work hard at it. Those dreaming of success often say to the hard working successful ones, “man you are so lucky….” It is not luck, it is calculated planning and that is a basic biblical principal.  “We should make plans-counting on God to direct us.” Proverbs 16:9  

I really believe God made each of us for a specific purpose and when we seek Him and find our way into His will He is pleased.  “Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were laid out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” Proverbs 139:16 MSG  With a strong sense of purpose, trusting God with every detail; there will be a spark and energy and confidence generated that can carry you through the tough times.  Each day will be different.   Some days everyone you meet will be a divine appointment from the hand of God and other days it will seem nothing is going your way.  On either day, God is with you and promises to be your strength.  The older I get the more I realize much of my life and what God requires of me has little to do with me and is really about benefiting the lives of those He places around me.    Ephesians 2:10 “For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  I personally cannot begin my day without consulting the Lord through His word and prayer about His plans for me on every given day.  There are too many options available and I want to make the most of my day and live it according to His will but if I don’t go to Him I cannot know what His will is.  

I believe without a shadow of doubt that God wants to bless us each day.  My prayer is for these words to ring true for each of us………”the time of departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day…2 Timothy 4: 6-8 NKJV

 

Blessings, CindyH